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Public safety personnel have set up a smashed car and victim near the entrance of Wahconah Regional High School to remind students of the danger of drunken driving.

Dalton Police Department Reminds Teens to Drive Safe

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Police and Fire Departments set up a mock staged accident on the lawn of Wahconah Regional High School on Wednesday morning to remind students to celebrate safely and the dangers of impaired driving. 
 
The goal of the staging was to make the high schoolers think about the consequences of driving while impaired. The mock car was provided by Sayers' Auto Wrecking of Lanesborough. 
 
"They never think it'll happen to them until it happens to them. So, sometimes just putting it out there ahead of the season with graduation, and parties, and prom," Police Chief Deanna Strout said. 
 
With graduation and prom season upon us there is no doubt that there is cause for celebration but it is important to remember to celebrate safely.
 
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 37 people in the United States die every day in drunken-driving crashes. 
 
"Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens, and about a quarter of fatal crashes involve an underage drinking driver," NHTSA said. 
 
Responsible Behavior According to NHTSA: 
 
  • If you are drinking, do not drive.
  • If you choose to drink, plan a safe ride home before you go to the party, whether you choose a non-drinking friend as a designated driver, get a taxi, or call your parents. 
  • If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them arrange a sober ride home. 
  • If you're hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
  • Seat belts are your best defense against impaired drivers so always wear one. 
  • If you see an impaired driver, contact local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone's life.

Tags: Wahconah,   

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CBRSD Mulls Vocational Transport in Regional Agreement

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School District is considering adding vocational transportation to the draft regional agreement. 
 
School Committee Chair Richard Peters said at last month's meeting that the district received an email from Cummington inquiring if it could add vocational transportation to its regional agreement, similar to what is happening in the Mohawk Trail Hawlemont Regional School District. 
 
"[The Mohawk District] actually documented in the regional agreement that the school district arranges the transportation for the students going to vocation for the towns. And then we build the towns for that transportation," Peters said. 
 
The committee approved holding a special public hearing for all towns on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. to review the required language regarding the voting method and discuss the amendment that would add vocational transportation to the agreement. The location of the meeting has yet to be determined. 
 
The district wants to bring in authorities, such as representatives from the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools, legal, and possibly the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to inform town officials what changes can be made to the agreement. 
 
Peters emphasized that the district is not opening up the regional agreement for debate on every point because towns have already agreed on everything but the voting method.
 
The meeting's purpose is to educate the towns that voted against the agreement and discuss the vocational amendment, which would have to be approved at town meetings for all seven towns. 
 
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